Offset concave threshing bars

Abstract

A concave for a combine harvester is disclosed having a first side support member and a second side support member, and a threshing bar secured to the first and second side support members, wherein the threshing bar is at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the first and second side support members. The threshing bar may be disposed between the first and second side support members.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A concave for a combine harvester, the concave comprising:
 a first side support member and a second side support member; and 
 a threshing bar secured to the first and second side support members, the threshing bar having a cut-out that extends the length of the threshing bar such that the cut-out defines a first face and a second face for the threshing bar, wherein the threshing bar is at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the first and second side support members; and 
 wherein the first and second side support members each comprise a top surface having a first face and a second face, wherein the first face and the second face of the first and second side support members substantially axially align with the first face and the second face of the threshing bar. 
 
     
     
       2. The concave of  claim 1 , wherein the threshing bar is disposed between the first and second side support members. 
     
     
       3. The concave of  claim 1 , wherein the threshing bar comprises an angle in the range of about 25-degrees to about 87-degrees relative to the first or second side support member. 
     
     
       4. The concave of  claim 1 , wherein the threshing bar comprises an angle of about 83-degrees relative to the first or second side support member. 
     
     
       5. The concave of  claim 1 , wherein the threshing bar comprises an angle of about 87-degrees relative to the first or second side support member. 
     
     
       6. The concave of  claim 1 , wherein the threshing bar comprises an angle of about 79-degrees relative to the first or second side support member. 
     
     
       7. The concave of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second face of the threshing bar are of varying dihedral angles. 
     
     
       8. The concave of  claim 7 , wherein the surface area of the first face of the threshing bar is about 130% larger or about 1.3 times larger relative to the surface area of the second face of the threshing bar. 
     
     
       9. The threshing bar of  claim 7 , wherein the surface area of the first face of the threshing bar is about 170% larger or about 1.7 times larger relative to the surface area of the second face of the threshing bar. 
     
     
       10. The threshing bar of  claim 7 , wherein the surface area of the first face of the threshing bar is about 101% to 199% larger or about 1.01 times up to 1.99 times larger relative to the surface area of the second face of the threshing bar. 
     
     
       11. A concave for a combine harvester, the concave comprising:
 a first side support member and a second side support member; and 
 a threshing bar secured to the first and second side support members, the threshing bar comprising a channel having a first flat face and a second flat face, wherein the threshing bar is at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the first and second side support members; and 
 wherein the first and second side support members each comprise a top surface having a first flat face and a second flat face, wherein the first flat face and the second flat face of the first and second side support members substantially axially align with the first flat face and the second flat face of the channel of the threshing bar.